Silk-screen colour printing machine



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July 16, 1957 L. G. DUBUn 2,799,223

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Filed June 16, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dmitri. im@ EM/fmai MM July 16, 1957 L. G. DuBun', SILK-SCREEN coLouR PRINTING MACHINE 8 sheets-sheet e Filed June v16, 1953 DM. A mia 2Link-JT. E

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. SILK-SCREEN COLOUR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Juni 16. 1953 Y 8 ShetS-Sheet 8,

rvula United States Patent 2,799,223 SILK-SCREEN COLOUR PRINTING MACHINE Louis Gilbert Dubuit, Paris, France Application June 16, 1953, Serial No. 362,111 Claims priority, application France June 17, 1952 6 Claims. (C1. lol-11s) My invention relates to multicolor stenciling machines for printing upon objects having a curved surface for example of cylindrical, conical or similar shape.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine which will permit an extremely rapid and clean printing in two or more colours.

Printing may be elfected on objects made of ceramic bisque in using usual inks such as glycerine inks, the bisque immediately absorbing the colour and making it possible to directly proceed with the next printing without any intermediate drying operation.

Thermo-fluid mixture inks may also be used; such inks are melted on the screen and solidify immediately when deposited on the surface of the object thus allowing an immediate application of the next printing. The use of such inks is indispensable when nonporous materials such as glass have to be printed upon. y

A machine according to the present invention substantially comprises a stationary frame, a stencil screen carriage mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement from one extreme position to'the opposite position, a stencil screen assembly mounted in said carriage to reciprocate therewith and comprising at least two screens in a common plane adjoining each other end to end in the direction of their reciprocation for successive printing operations, a supporting assembly for an articleV to be printed upon and having a curved surface in tangential rolling line contact with said screens, driving means rotating said assembly and reciprocating said carriage in mutual timely relation, a squeegee for each screen mounted transverse to the direction ofthe reciprocation of the screens to cooperate in rest position above said tangential rolling line contact with the respective screen, a holder for each squeegee positioned transversely to the screens and displaceable in a direction conforming to that of the reciprocating screens, each holder also adjustable in a direction Vertical to the plane of the screens to bring the squeegee attached theretol in and out of operating position at the start and the end, respectively, of its printing operation; a stationary catch member adapted to temporarily receive and hold one holder with the squeegee attached thereto in operative rest position relative to the screen passing thereunder, a camlike support mounted upon the reciprocating carriage opposite the ends of each screen; each camlike support adapted to deliver a squeegee holder in inoperative position to the stationary catch member and to receive therefrom the holder previously held therein; and means actuated by said driving means in timely relation to the reciprocation of the screens to transfer in succession holders from said supports. into said catch member, and vice versa, and to effect the. said vertical adjustments of such holder in and out of operat, ing position at the start and at the end, respectively, of each printing operation.

The said andother objects of my invention will be more fully understood from the following specification when read with the accompanying drawing in which two -embodiments are illustrated in the drawing.

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Fig. l is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a machine for multicolor printing upon articles such as bowls, the holder of the object being in its rest position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of said machine.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a detail of my machine.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another detail of my machine.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of machine.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the machine while the object-holding frame is in operative position.

Fig. 7 shows, on a larger scale, the device for locking said frame in operative position.

Fig. 8 is a front view of the device controlling the placing of the squeegee-carrying arms into operative position.

lFig. 9 is a vertical sectional view, through line IX-IX of Fig. l0 of a machine for the printingV in two colours of cylindrical objects.

Fig. l0 is a vertical sectional view through line X-X of Fig. 9.

Fig. ll is a plan view of the same machine, the superior part of the machine being taken off.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the machine.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatical view of the position of the squeegees, while the screen-carrying plate being at one end of its run.

Figs. 14, 15 `and 16 are similar views corresponding the cams used in my to various successive positions of the screen-carryingy plate.

As shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 my new machine comprises a frame 1 surmounted by a table 2 which carries a centrally located pivot 3 provided with a lining 4 secured thereto by a key 4b engaging a groove 3a. A stencil screen carriage such as a circular plate 5 is rotatably mounted upon said pivot 3 by means of a hub 4a. A collar 6 which supports atwo-pronged fork or saddle member 28 is secured to said lining 4 above said hub 4a and above said collar 6 two sleeves 7 and 8 provided with brackets 7a, 8a, respectively, are rotatably mounted on said lining 4. A cap 9 secured to said lining and being provided with an adjusting screw 10 bearing against the upper face of said pivot 3 insures said collars 7, 8 against axial displacement.

The circular carriage plate 5 is provided with a circumferential rim 11 having grooves to be engaged by at least two loops of a cable 12. An opening having the shape of a ring sector extends in said plate 5 close to said rim 11 and serves to receive the stencil screens 13, 14 which have conforming shapes of ring sectors and aresecured to said plate 5 by clamping, gripping or similar means 15.

In the brackets 7a, 8a of the sleeves 7, 8 are two arms 16, 17, respectively, swingably mounted upon pins 1S, 19. These arms 16, 17 hold the squeegees 22, 23, respectively, for example by means of U-shaped slides 20, 21, the position of which upon the arms being adjustable horizontally and vertically relative to the screens13, 14 by screws 24, 25 and 26, 27.

The stationary collar 6 carries a catch member adapted to temporarily receive and hold one of the said two holding arms 16, 17 with its respective squeegee in respective rest position relative to the screens passing thereunder. Said catch memberv as illustrated in Fig. 4 consists of a two-pronged fork or saddle member 28 having prongs or branches separated by a seat 28 said prongs or branches being provided with staggered castellations or ridges 2811, 28b, 28C, 28d for cooperation with notches 16a and 16b of different depth arranged in each arm 16, 17 holding a squeegee. The manner and purpose of this cooperation will be later described in detail. d A Y The said arms 16, 17 may be set manually into work arcanes ing position. However, my new machine permits a completely automatic operation. To this effect I provide camlike supports 29, 30, 31 for the said arms 16, 17 to cooperate with said castellations or ridges and said notches in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. These camlike supports 29, 30, 31 are mounted upon the carriage plate 5 opposite the ends of each screen 13, 14 as shown in Fig. 2. The two outer cams 29, 31 are symmetrically shaped each having a sloping portion or ramp 29a, 31a, a flat or neutral portion 29b, 31h, and a stop finger 29, 31C, respectively. The middle cam 3i) shows a combination of shapes of said outer cams and comprises a first sloping portion or ramp 30a, a first fiat or neutral portion Stil), a stop finger 30e, a second fiat or neutral portion 36d and a second sloping portion or ramp 341e.

The article 33 to be printed upon is held by a supporting assembly which includes an expansible mandrel 34 mounted upon a rotatable drum 3S which is circumferentially grooved to be engaged and actuated by the cable 12 which also engages the grooved rim 11 of the carriage plate 5 as described above to rotate or reciprocate said drum 35 and said plate 5 in mutual timely relation. The said cable 12 is guided between said drum 35 and said rim 11 by grooved pulleys 38, 40, 4?., and 39, 41, 43, respectively, and its ends are secured to carriage plate 5 for example by screws 36, 37 (Fig. 2). The said pulleys 33 and 39 are supported by arms 44 and 45 secured to the frame table 2 to guide the cable 12 into the grooves of said plate rim 11. The pulleys itl and 41 are held by supports 46 and 47 which are pivotably mounted on hollow shafts and 51 upon the machine frame 1, the cable 12 passing through said hollow shafts. The desired position of said supports 46 and 47 which are provided with elongated slots may be adjusted by screws 43 and 49 passing therethrough as illustrated in Fig. l. The pulleys 42 and 43 guide the cable 12 into the grooves of the drum 35 and are held in a frame 52 tiltably mounted on said hollow shafts 50 and S1. The said frame 52 is provided with a bearing 52a which rotatably holds a shaft 53 associated with said drum 35 and having a hand wheel 54. This hand wheel 54 when actuated will rotate not only the drum 35 but also the rim 11 of the carriage plate 5 with the screens 13 and 14 mounted therein.

The expansible mandrel 34 may be actuated in any known manner for example by a sheath slidingly mounted on drum shaft 53 for displacement in axial direction by a lever 55. A fairly powerful spring, not shown, tends to hold the mandrel 34 in expanded position.

The drum 35 mounted upon frame 52 while in its initial position shown in Fig. l receives the article to be printed upon for example the bowl 33 as shown. Thereupon the frame 52 is tilted about the shafts 51), 51 into the working position shown in Fig. 6. At this time several adjustments are required to insure a proper relative position of said article and the screens 13, 14. First, the position of the carriage plate 5 above the frame table 2 has to be set by means of the adjusting screw 10 described above. Second, the screens 13, 14 have to be positioned in the carriage plate 5 by means of the clamping means 15 as described above. Third, the proper contacting relation of the article 33 and the screens 13, 14 has to be adjusted. This adjustment is effected by a locking device shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 7 and operating as follows:

The drum supporting frame 52 is provided with a link rod 57 articulated thereto upon axle 56, the other end of said link rod being jointed to a crank member 58. This crank member 58 which is provided with a plane stop face 58a is keyed upon shaft 59 rotatably mounted in the machine frame 1. The said stop face 58a cooperates with a stop screw 63. This screw passes through a stone 62 slidably mounted in a curved slot 60a of a sector shaped plate 60 which is turnably mounted on said shaft 59. The said stone 62 which is provided with a threaded tenon 62a may be secured in said slot 60a in any adjusted position by a nut 64 while said stop screw 63 is secured by a i lock nut 65. As shown in solid lines in Fig. 7 the link rod 57 is safely locked and thus the drum frame 52 held rigidly in the working position illustrated in Fig. 5.

To remove the article 33 after having been printed upon and to substitute another article the drum frame 52 is being tilted from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 1 by rotating the shaft 59 to bring the crank arm 58 into the position shown in Fig. 7 in dotted lines whereby the frame 52 is freed to swing about its shafts 50, 51.

it will be well understood, however, that many other suitable adjusting and locking devices for said drum frame may be used.

My machine described above with reference to Figs. 1 through 8 operates as follows:

At the start of the printing operation the arm 16 supporting one of the squeegees is placed upon the fiat portion or landing 29b of the outer cam 29 and the other arm 17 supporting the other squeegee upon the flat portion or landing 30d of the central cam 30 (Figs. 2 and 5). Said location of arm 16 places the same between the prongs or branches of the stationary fork or saddle member 28. It should be noted that in Fig. 1 the arms 16 and 17 are shown in extended position to make the illustration better readable.

By actuating the handwheel 54 the drum 35 with the article 33 to be printed upon are rotated and carriage plate 5 is rotated as Well by the cable 12. The rotation of plate 5 causes arm 16 which is held within the fork cleft or rest 29h to slide downward along ramp 29a of cam 29 and deeper into said seat thus bringing the squeegee 22 into its working position relative to the screen 13 and holding the squeegee 22 in such working position until the entire screen 13 passed thereunder and the first printing operation has been concluded. At this time the approaching central cam 30 attacks the arm 16 by its sloping ramp 30a lifting said arm 16 until the same comes to rest upon the fiat landing 30b located so high above the carriage plate 5 that the notch 16a in said arm avoids the castellation or ridge 28a upon said fork 2S and said arm 16 is contacted by the stop finger 30C of the central cam 30 to be driven along in nonoperative position.

While cam 30 attacks arm 16 as described above arm 17 resting upon the landing 30d of said cam moves over the castellations or ridges 28e, 28d of one prong or fork 28 but is retained by the castellation 28a upon the other prong or fork 28 and slides downward into the fork cleft 28e bringing thus squeegee 28 into and holding the same in its working position relative to screen 14 until the entire screen 14 passed thereunder and the second printing operation has been concluded. At this time the approaching cam 31 attacks the arm 17 by its sloping ram 31a lifting said arm 17 until it contacts the stop finger 31C and is held in rest position upon the landing 31b which is not high enough above the carriage plate 5 to let the arm 17 pass over the castellations or ridges 28a, 2SC of the fork 28. The arm 17 being now locked between said castellations 28a, 28e and stop finger 31C of the last cam 30 brings the machine to a standstill. Thereafter the machine may be used for printing in reverse direction, the squeegee 23 upon arm 17 operating first with screen 14 and the squeegee 22 upon arm 16 operating thereafter' with screen 13.

In case that thermo-fusible mixtures 'are used the printing has to be done in one direction only and the arms 16, 17 have to be held out of working position relative to the screens 13, 14 when the machine after completing the printing in one direction is brought back into the initial position. This may be effected by the device illustrated in detail in Fig. 8. This device comprises a switch tongue 66 pivoted with its lower end upon the fork 28 and having inclined upper faces as shown which will lift one or the other arm 16 or 17 when the tongue is tilted. To this effect stop 67, 68 are located upon the carriage plate 5 close to the outer cams 29, 31 as shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 9-16 showanother embodiment of my yinvention namely a machine for printing upon articles having `a cylindrical surface.

This machine comprises a square-sectioned parallel bars 102 on which a carrier 104 is slidingly mounted, by meansl of blocks 103. Said carrier 104 supports two silk screens 105 andy 106, the lower surfaces of which are situated in the same plane and which are separated by a low wall 107. Under the bars 102 the frame 101 bears a device for rotatively supporting a substantially cylindrical object to be printed upon such device not shown in the drawing being of the type described in my U. S. Patent No. 2,757,606. This supporting device is so rotated that the peripheral speed of the object to be printed is equal to the linear speed of carrier 104; such rotation is eected by means of a cable 108 the ends of which are attached to arms 109 extending at either ends of carrier 104 and which Wind around a not shown pulley attached the rotating part of the supporting device of the object to be printed upon.

On each of the bars 102 and above the said supporting device a member 110 is fixed which includes a notch 110a, the median plane of which coincides with the vertical plane of the axis of rotation of the object to be printed. Said notch 110a is being limited on either side by projecting parts 110b and 110e in which are respectively provided depressed portions v110d and 110e, of a same height, in order that portion 110d be opposite the highest part of projection 110b whereas reciprocally, portion 110e is opposite the highest part of projection ,110e (Fig. 12).

' Carrier 104, on both its longitudinal sides, bears in line with the low wall 107 which separates both screens 105 and 106 two members 111 rising along and inside bars 102 and each provided with two notches 111a and 111b, located on either side of the separating wall 107. These notches are laterally limited by respective projections 111c, 111d which are at a higher level than the depressions 110C, 110d of members 110, and are separated by a projection 111e of a greater height, whereas the bottom of said notches is at level with depressions 110d, 110e of members 110, said notches having the same width as notch 110a of member 110.

To each screen 105,106 corresponds a rubber-squeegee 112 of a known type passing the ink through the screen while sweeping over the latter. This squeegee is maintained in a support 113 which forms at its upper part a bar 114 which is transverse to the carrier 104 and the length and thickness of which are such that it may engage in notches 110:: of members 110 iixed on rails 102 as well frame 101 supporting two as in notches 111:: or 111b of members 111 fast with carrier 104. Transverse bar 114 of squeegee 112 corresponding to screen 105 bears at both ends in its lower part castellations 114b the position, width and depth of which are such that, when said bar 114 rests in notches 111a of members 111 and that its upper face is consequently at level with the bottom of redans 110d of members 110, said bar 114, in moving parallelly to itself under the effect of the movement of carrier 104 may pass above projecting parts 11011 which limit on one side notches 11001 of said members 110, whereas it stops on projecting parts 110C which limit the other side of said notches l10n. A-lso, the transverse bar 114 of squeegee 112 corresponding to screen 106 bears on both its ends in its lower part castellations 114e the position, width and depth of which are such that under the same conditions as above described with regard to bar 114 supporting squeegee 112 corresponding to screen 105, said bar 114 bearing squeegee 112 corresponding to screen 106 may pass above projecting parts 110e which limit notches 110a of member 110 on one side whereas they stop against the projecting parts 110b limiting the other side of said notches 11011. On another hand, both transverse bars bear at either ends a roller 115.

. At both ends of carrier 104 ends of two chains of transmission 116 which pass are respectively fixed the over tion corresponding to .being printed on the object, in the colour of the ink which pinions 117 fixed on shaftsv 118 ,rotatively mounted in frame 101 at the respective ends of longitudinal bars 102'. Said chains also cooperate with two pinions 119 fixed on a-shaft 120 rotatively mounted in frame 101 the axis 'of said shaft 120 being in the vertical plane of theaxis `of rotationy of theobject to be printed. On said shaft 120 are also fixed two cams 121 each bearing two bosses 121g, 12117.v Each cam 121 cooperates with a roller 122 rotatively mounted on a slider 123, vertically guided in sliders 124 fast with frame 101. lAt the lower part of sliders 123 is provided a nose-piece 125 which is made to engage under rollers 115 borne by the corresponding ends of bars 114 which support squeegee 112. Cams 121 are such that, on the-one hand, when rollers 122 rest upon the circular part of Isaid cams, the sliders are in a position in which bar114, which they support through the intermediary of rollers 115, is suiiciently lowered in order that the corresponding squeegee 112 be in contact with its screen and that, on another hand, when rollers 122 are lifted by bosses 1216i or 121b, bar 114, the rollers 115 of which are engaged by nose-pieces 125 of Asliders l123 be also lifted above projections 111c and l11101 which limit laterally notches 111a and v111i; of members 111, but at a level below that of projections 111e separating said notches. The diameter of pinions 119 is such that cams 121 accomplish a rotation when carrier 104 is displaced of a length equal to that of a screen or 106. The pinions 119 are in mesh with chains 116 so that, on behalf of the action of bosses 121a, 121b on rollers 122 of sliders 123, bars 114 supporting squeegees 112 are lifted a first time when, one of said bars resting in notches a of members 110, the notches 111:1 or 111b of members 111 fast with carrier 104 are on the point of coinciding with said notches 110e in coming towards the transverse axis of the machine and, a second time, when, resting in notches 111a or 111b of members 111, said notches 111:1 or 111b are ready to leave the `coincidence with Vsaid notch 110a in moving away from the transverse axis of the machine.

My machine as illustrated in Figs. 9-16 operates in the following manner:

It is supposed that carrier 104 is at one end of its run (for example to the right hand side of Figs. 9 and ll) and that the object to be printed, indicated by dotted line 126, is in contact with screen 105 supplied with ink corresponding to one of the colours to be printed, and bar 114 of the corresponding squeegee 112 is engaged in notches 110er of members 110. Bosses V12161 of cams 121 are in the vertical median plane of the machine and maintain rollers 122 with the sliders 123 lifted up, bar 114 engaged in notch 110e: being thus also lifted up so that corresponding squeegee 112 should not be in contact with screen 105 (Fig. 13).

Carrier 104 is then moved on bars 102 from right to left of Figs. 9 and l1, either by pushing carrier 104 by hand, or by driving, by means of a motor not shown, one of the shafts bearing pinions 117 engaging chains 116. Simultaneously the object 126 to be printed upon is rotated at a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of carrier 104. As soon as the displacement of said carrier starts, cam 121 starts turning and bosses 121a liberate rollers 122 from sliders 123. Said sliders come down, so as bar 114, which falls at the bottom of notch 110a, the corresponding squeegee 112 thus contacting screen 105 (Fig. 14) and the printing on the object 126 takes place in the manner known in the silk-screen printing method, the drawing or the inscripthe free meshes of screen 105 thus fills the screen.

During the displacement of carrier 104 members 111 carried by the latter get closer to the vertical median plan of the machine, in which bar 114 of the acting squeegee 112 is located. When projections 111e 4limiting notches 111a of said members 111 are on the point of engaging such displacement being effected opposite notches 110e, bosses 121b of cams 121 lift rollers 122 with sliders 123 thus in turn lifting bar 114 resting in said notches l10n, and placing the same in slots 111a of member 111. The bottom of said notches 111a being at level with depressions 110d, bar 114 thus located in the notches 111a may laterally escape from notches 110a and be driven by members 111 as the carrier 104 moves on (Fig.

On the other hand bar 114 which supports squeegee 112 cooperating with screen 106, was initially supported in notches 111b of members 111. When, as carrier 104 keeps on moving, said notches 111i: arrive in coincidence with notches l10n, bosses 12in of cams 121 lift again rollers 122 with sliders 123, which in turn lift bar 114 which was resting in notches 111b, thus disengaging said bar from said notches. Said bar abuts against projecting parts 110%), laterally limiting notches l10n and stops, while the carrier keeps on moving and carries away members 111 (Fig. 16). As soon as the latter have passed notch l10n, boss 121a again liberates sliders 123, and bar 114, being lifted by the latter, falls at the bottom of notch 110e, which enables the corresponding squeegee 112 to cooperate with screen 106 in order. to print the second colour of the screen.

When the carrier reaches the other end of its run, bosses 121b of the cams lift again sliders 123, so that bar 114 is lifted from squeegee 112 which operates on screen 106. This squeegee thus passes above the pad of ink which it was previously pushing forward, in order to allow this ink to be taken in charge again when the carrier is moved in the opposite direction. Carrier 104 thus occupies the position which is opposed to the initial position and, after elimination of the printed object and introduction of a new object to be printed upon, the same operations start all over again while the carrier is being moved in the opposite direction.

Having shown and described two embodiments of my invention to illustrate the application of the principles thereof` it will be well understood that my invention may be otherwise embodied without departing from such principles.

What i claim is:

l. In a multicolor stenciling machine of the type described, the combination comprising a stationary frame,

stencil screen carriage mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement from one extreme position to the opposite position, a stencil screen assembly mounted in said carriage to reciprocate therewith and comprising at least two screens in a common plane adjoining each other end to end in the direction of their reciprocation for successive printing operations, a supporting assembly for an article to be printed upon and having a curved surface 1n tangential rolling line contact with said screens, driving means rotating said assembly and reciprocating said carriage in mutual timely relation, a squeegee for each screen mounted transverse to the direction of the reciprocation of the screens to cooperate in rest position above said tangential rolling line contact with the respective screen, a holder for each squeegee positioned transversely to the screens and displaceable in a direction conforming to that of the reciprocating screens, each holder also adjustable in a direction vertical to the plane of the screens to bring the squeegee attached thereto in and out of operating position at the start and the end, respectively, of its printing operation; a stationary catch member adapted to temporarily receive and hold one holder with the squeegee attached thereto in operative rest position relative to the screen passing thereunder, a camlike support mounted upon the reciprocating carriage opposite the ends of each screen; each camlike support adapted to deliver a squeegee holder in inoperative position to the stationary catch member and to receive therefrom the holder previously held therein; and means actuated by said driving means in timely relation to the reciprocation of the screens to transfer in succession holders from said supports into said catch member, and vice versa, and to effect the said vertical adjustments of such holder in and out of operating position at the start and at the end, respectively, of each Vprinting operation.

2. in a multicolor stenciling machine of the type de scribed according to claim l the combination comprising a stop member mounted upon the carriage at each extreme end of the screen assembly and a latchlike member mounted upon the catch member, said latchlike member adapted to be actuated by one of said stop members to prevent the squeegee holders to assume their operative position within the catch member during the movement of the carriage in one direction, and by the other stop member to release said latchlike member to permit the holders to assume their operative position within the catch member during the movement of the carriage in the other direction.

3. In a multicolor stenciling machine of the type described, the combination comprising a stationary frame, a stencil screen carriage mounted on said frame for linear reciprocating movement from one extreme position to the opposite position, a stencil screen assembly mounted in said carriage to reciprocate therewith and comprising at least two screens in a common plane adjoining each other end to end in the direction of their reciprocation for successive printing operations, a supporting assembly for an article to be printed upon and having a curved surface in tangential rolling line contact with said screens, driving means rotating said assembly and reciprocating said carriage in mutual timely relation, a squeegee for each screen mounted transverse to the direction of the reciprocation of the screens to cooperate in rest position above said tangential rolling line contact with the respective screen, a holder for each squeegee positioned transversely to the screens and displaceable in a direction conforming to that of the reciprocating screens, each holder also adjustable in a direction vertical to the plane of the screens to bring the squeegee attached there` to in and out of operating position at the start and the end, respectively, of its printing operation; a stationary catch member adapted to temporarily receive and hold one holder with the squeegee attached thereto in operative rest position relative to the screen passing thereunder, a camlike support mounted upon the reciprocating carriage opposite the opposing edges of adjoining screens; each camlike support adapted to receive squeegee holders associated with said adjoining screens and to hold said holders in inoperative position, and means actuated by said driving means in timely relation to the reciprocation of the screens to transfer in succession holders from said supports into said catch member, and vice versa, and to effect the said vertical adjustment of such holder in and out of operating position at the start and at the end, respectively, of each printing operation.

4. In a multicolor sten-ciling machine of the type described, the combination comprising -a stationary frame; a pivot thereupon; a stencil. screen carriage mounted on said pivot for reciprocating swing movement from one extreme position to the opposite position; a stencil screen assembly mounted in said carriage to reciprocate therewith; said screen assembly comprising at least two screens in a common plane adjoining each other end to end in the direction of their reciprocation for successive printing operations and forming at least part of an annulus concentrical with said pivot; a supporting assembly for an article to be printed upon and having a curved surface in tangential roll-ing line contact with said screens; driving means rotating said assembly and reciprocating said carriage in mutual timely relation; a squeegee for each screen mounted transverse to the direction of the reciprocation of the screens to cooperate in rest position above said tangential rolling line contact with the respective screen; a holder for each squeegee positioned transversely yto the screens and displaceable in a direction conforming to that of the reciprocating screens; each holder also adjustable in `a direction vertical to the plane of the `screens to bring the squeegee attached thereto in and out of operating position at the start and the end, respectively, of its printing operation; a stationary catch mem-ber adapted to temporarily receive and hold one holder with the squeegee attached thereto in operative rest position relative to the screen passing thereunder; a camlike support mounted upon the reciprocating carriage opposite the ends of each screen; each camlike support adapted to deliver a squeegee holder in inoperative position to the stationary catch member and to receive therefrom the holder previously held therein; and cam mean-s actuated by said driving means in timely relation to the reciprocation of the screens to transfer in succession holders from said supports into said catch member, and vice versa, and to etect the said vertical adjustment of such holder in and out of operating position at the start and at the end, respectively, of each printing operation.

5. A multicolor stenciling machine of the type described according to lclaim l wherein the said stationary catch member comprises a two pronged fork `or saddle member, the prongs having symmetrical castellations or ridges and the holders associated with adjoining screens having notches conforming to the castellations or ridges of one of said prongs, respectively, in order to permit one holder to pa ss one of said prongs only and thus to move in and out of `said cat-ch member from one side thereof exclusively.

6. In `a multicolor stenciling machine of the type described according to claim 1 the combination comprising References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sloan Apr. 5, 1938 Schneider Sept. 6, 1938 Cone Oct. 11, 1938 Soubier May 9, 1939 Holbrook Nov. 3, 1942 

